Alistair in outer space

Alistair Grittle

by Marilyn Sadler

Offering clever illustrations and a witty text, Alistair's latest adventure finds him searching the galaxy to complete his homework even as he thwarts an attempted alien invasion of Earth.

Genres: Picture Books, Space, Science Fiction, Childrens, Aliens

42 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

With a degree in fine arts, Marilyn Sadler assumed she would be an illustrator. But when early in her career she was presented with an opportunity to write, she seized it and quickly discovered that she had found her true love. No sad, sappy stories for her, however. She likes to make herself laugh, and with that her characters usually end up looking pretty silly for one reason or another.

Her first children’s book featured a fastidious little English boy named Alistair Grittle and was originally created for the English publisher, Hamish Hamilton, as well as for Simon & Schuster in the United States. Having created a boy with such perfect behavior, she then turned her attention to a not so perfectly behaved little boy. His name was P.J. Funnybunny, and he has existed in a series of books for Random House, including the highly prestigious Dr. Seuss Cat In the Hat series.

Marilyn’s television credits include two PBS Reading Rainbow programs featuring Alistair, an Alistair program for the BBC, three ABC Weekend Specials featuring P.J. Funnybunny, and a show based on her children’s book, "Elizabeth and Larry", for Showtime’s Shelley Duvall’s Bedtime Stories.

Between 1999 and 2004, The Disney Channel produced three Original Movies based on her book, "Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century". Each of Disney’s Zenon movies had exceptionally high ratings, with Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century and Zenon the Zequel among the highest rated shows in the history of The Disney Channel.

In 2004, Playhouse Disney began production on Marilyn and Roger Bollen's animated series, Handy Manny. Handy Manny premiered September 16, 2006, as the highest rated Playhouse Disney series premiere of all time. In 2009, Marilyn was nominated for an Emmy Award as Executive Producer of Handy Manny.

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another picture book about the boy genius Alistair Grittle. This time Alistair is working on finding an unusual plant when he is interrupted by an alien invasion. "Earth was being invaded by aliens. Alistair did not have time for an alien invasion. He was in the middle of a science project." Fortunately, Alistair manages to save Earth and his science fair project. The book has a quirky ending but young readers who appreciate humor in science fiction will enjoy the joke.

[Sara Avrams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aliens are so alien or are they?

Alistair is indeed unusual. But not in a way you would expect. Read this story about Alistair to find out.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alistair is a very unusual boy. So unusual that when a science project takes him into space, he encounters an alien invasion and turns back to help save Earth. The aliens are smitten with him and follow him everywhere and want to know everything about him. That's because we discover in the end, they are clones of Alistair.

Very cute illustrations.

[Queen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adorable. Clever. My girls giggled along with me.